Orlando “El Duque” Hernández was announced as General Manager of the team that will represent the Cuban Professional Baseball Federation (FEPCUBE) in a Press Conference that took place at the Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine Restaurant in Doral in Florida. In addition, former major leaguer Brayan Peña was officially announced as manager of the team. The rest of the management team will be revealed soon.
“El Duque” so far has not disclosed what name the FEPCUBE team that will participate in the Intercontinental Series that will be held in Barranquilla, Colombia between January 25 and February 1, 2024 will use. The GM (General Manager) of this club of Cubans which is not affiliated with the sports authorities of the island that plans to make history on Colombian soil. The ex-big leaguer is interested in instilling pride and dedication to those who are going to represent the community of his countrymen from around the world, especially those from Miami.
“The responsibility is going to be very great and we hope that they behave and play up to that moment,” said Hernández at the press conference. “We are going to play with love, with dedication, in the most correct way possible.” These announcements were made by the president of the FEPCUBE Armando Llanes Jr. in front of Edison Rentería, one of the main organizers of the Intercontinental Series , who knows very well the quality of Cuban players at all levels of the Major Leagues and other circuits.
Es un placer y un honor oficialmente presentar an Orlando “El Duque” Hernández como nuestro General Manager y representante de FEPCUBE en calidad de Vicepresidente. Nos sentimos sumamente orgullosos de contar con alguien de su calibre y experiencia en nuestro equipo. pic.twitter.com/L9RJMaN0lW
— FEPCUBE (@fepcube) October 6, 2023
Rentería hopes that the presence of a team of Cuban and Cuban-American players based in Miami will contribute to raising the level of the tournament and revealed that for at least five years he had discussed with “El Duque” his wish that Antillean players would represent this community. in what was previously called Latin American Series. “For me this is a dream come true, to be able to see a team of Cubans and Cuban blood participate in our event in Colombia,” added the brother of former Marlins player, Edgar Rentería. “I am confident that they will perform at a high level and that our tournament will increase in quality with their presence.”
According to Llanes, Since the creation of this Federation was announced, many players from the Greater Antilles have responded affirmatively to be part of a team that will make history on Colombian soil, as is the case of Randy Arozarena, who claimed to be ready to join the squad. “We know that a lot will depend on the permissions of the Major League clubs,” added El Duque. “We are realistic that it will be very difficult for them to participate, but we are convinced that we will have a very competitive team with players from the Minor Leagues and other Caribbean leagues, although the presence of some top-level stars is never ruled out.”
Llanes is confident that with Hernández in the front office and Peña as the skipper, the team will be in good hands in the sporting aspect, while private financial support and donations of all kinds are sought to cement the project. But above all, he hopes for the support of the Miami community and the unity of all Cubans around a project that has taken a firm step by affirming its presence in Colombia for at least the next five years in the Intercontinental Series. “That is the main goal, to achieve the unity of all Cubans around baseball,” Llanes stressed. “Live and feel our pride, the fact of living in a free country that allows us to say and do what we want to say and do. We want people to identify with this team wherever they go. If we reach that goal it will be something very big.”